Realigning world of work for transformation

Companies have been challenged to rethink business and people strategies and come up with transformative and innovative solutions that bridge the gap between current economic challenges and the need to save employment and protection of employees.

Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Anna Mokgethi said at the Fifth Strategic Human Resources Conference organised by Progressive Institute this week that there is need to create conversations, dialogue and discourse on how to realign work, workforce skills, leadership and human capital practices amidst the economic turbulence and challenges emerging from the impact of Covid- 19. She said currently, the country is working tirelessly to get the economy on track under the auspices and guidance of Botswana’s Reset Agenda aimed at transforming Botswana from an upper middle- income country to a highincome country by 2036.

This transformation is to be achieved through Vision 2036 Pillars of Sustainable Economic Development; Human and Social Development; Sustainable Environment; and Governance, Peace and Security.

According to organisers, the fifth Strategic HR Conference is desirous of refocusing Government and Quasi Government leaders, captains of industry and more critical, Human Capital Practitioners across all sectors to pay particular and committed attention to the Human and Social Development Pillar to ensure development of critical mass of qualified competence and skilled workforce and leadership that will create great workplaces for citizens.

The Conference that was held under the Theme, ‘ The Great Reorganisation: Building Winning Workplace Cultures In A World Transformed,’ brought together local, regional and global Thought Leaders that have immense knowledge, exposure and experience.

Mokgethi said it is pleasing that the Progressive Institute continues to actively keep the People Agenda at the centre of National Economic Dialogue, as they share a mutually held view that to transform the economy, one has to start by changing the mindset and working culture within the workforce.

“This goal can only be achieved through a purposive and deliberate focus in leadership efforts and commitment needed to guide national workforce and institutions in tapping into best practises and transforming these into appropriate national tools and frameworks that are relevant to and serving the national interests of Botswana’s economy,” she said.

TEDx Speaker and Founder of Narachi Leadership, Rachel Adams said while some people are convinced that there is a leadership crisis in organisations across various sectors, she believes that the crisis that organisations have is lack of courage to change the status quo.

She explained when speaking on the topic, ‘ Authentic and Courageous Leadership in time of the great reorganising,’ that for instance, the Covid- 19 pandemic did for the world of work, what people lacked the courage to do.

“We were pushed to think, and move out of our comfort zone and what we are used to, and forced to reset,” she said. She said Covid has reengineered the world of work and ushered in new possibilities that could propel higher levels of productivity.

In order to attain transformation in workplaces, she said leaders need to have the courage to change themselves. “Only when we change ourselves can we see a changed world,” Adams said.

She added that many times companies focus on the bottom line and results and neglect the human resource. She said there is need to find courage to engage deeply with what matters for people in the organisation.

“People have the need for psychological safety. We must understand that when people feel safe in the work place, they can be more productive,” she said.

There is also need to find courage to interrogate cultural practices that are upheld in the workplace but restrict people from reaching their full potential.

“If we are not ready to change certain things in our culture, let us not pretend that we want people to give their best beyond cultural limitations,” Adams advised.